U.S. patent application number 10/996886 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for drawer for x-ray detectors.
Invention is credited to Dippl, Thomas, Rauh, Peter, Schliermann, Claus-Gunter, Wohrl, Dieter.
Application Number | 20050135564 10/996886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34681802 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050135564 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dippl, Thomas ; et
al. |
June 23, 2005 |
Drawer for X-ray detectors
Abstract
A detector drawer for an X-ray detector has at least one stop
(5) by which the mobility of an inserted X-ray detector in at least
one direction is restricted. The mobility of the inserted X-ray
detector is hindered by the at least one stop to two alternate stop
positions with respect to that direction; and that the respective
stop position becomes operative as a function of the motion of the
X-ray detector upon its insertion, for instance as a function of
the direction of the motion. By using the alternate stop positions,
which automatically become operative, portable digital X-ray
detectors, which are constructed asymmetrically, are automatically
positioned centrally in the detector drawer regardless of their
orientation or the desired orientation of the image to be made. The
detector drawer is advantageously used in an X-ray system, and
desirably in an X-ray system with a detector that is pulled out
from opposite sides of a patient examination table.
Inventors: |
Dippl, Thomas; (Pressath,
DE) ; Rauh, Peter; (Schnabelwaid, DE) ;
Schliermann, Claus-Gunter; (Kemnath, DE) ; Wohrl,
Dieter; (Kemnath, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
34681802 |
Appl. No.: |
10/996886 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60525706 |
Nov 28, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
378/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/4405 20130101;
G03B 42/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
378/167 |
International
Class: |
G03C 005/16; G03B
042/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2003 |
DE |
103 56 289.3 |
Claims
1. A detector drawer for an X-ray detector, the detector drawer
comprising: at least one stop by which an advancement of an
inserted X-ray detector in at least one direction is restricted,
wherein the advancement of the inserted X-ray detector is
restricted by the at least one stop to two alternate stop positions
with respect to the at least one direction, and that a respective
stop position becomes operative as a function of the advancement of
the X-ray detector during insertion.
2. The detector drawer of claim 1, wherein the respective stop
position becomes operative as a function of whether the X-ray
detector is advanced in the at least one direction or in a
direction perpendicular to the at least one direction to abut
against the stop.
3. The detector drawer of claim 2, wherein the at least one stop
has a pivot lever, which is pivotable about a shaft parallel to the
detector drawer.
4. The detector drawer of claim 3, wherein the at least one stop
comprises a plurality of stops disposed symmetrically with respect
to a length and a width of the detector drawer.
5. The detector drawer of claim 2, wherein the at least one stop
comprises a plurality of stops disposed symmetrically with respect
to a length and a width of the detector drawer.
6. The detector drawer of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop
comprises a plurality of stops disposed symmetrically with respect
to a length and a width of the detector drawer.
7. A patient examination table for an X-ray system, the patient
examination table comprising: a receptacle into which a detector
drawer is insertable, the detector drawer configured for an X-ray
detector and having at least one stop by which an advancement of an
inserted X-ray detector in at least one direction is restricted,
and wherein the advancement of the inserted X-ray detector is
restricted by the at least one stop to two alternate stop positions
with respect to the at least one direction, and that a respective
stop position becomes operative as a function of the advancement of
the X-ray detector during insertion.
8. The patient examination table of claim 7, wherein the respective
stop position becomes operative as a function of whether the X-ray
detector is advanced in the at least one direction or in a
direction perpendicular to the at least one direction to abut
against the stop.
9. The patient examination table of claim 8, wherein the at least
one stop has a pivot lever which is pivotable about a shaft
parallel to the detector drawer.
10. The patient examination table 9, wherein the at least one stop
comprises a plurality of stops disposed symmetrically with respect
to a length and a width of the detector drawer.
11. The patient examination table of claim 7, wherein the
receptacle has an opening on each of two opposed sides of the
patient examination table, and that the detector drawer is
configured to be inserted into the receptacle from either side.
12. An X-ray system comprising: a patient examination table which
has a receptacle into which a detector drawer is insertable, the
detector drawer adaptively configured for an X-ray detector and
having at least one stop by which an advancement of an inserted
X-ray detector in at least one direction is restricted, and wherein
the advancement of the inserted X-ray detector is restricted by the
at least one stop to two alternate stop positions with respect to
the at least one direction, and that a respective stop position
becomes operative as a function of the advancement of the X-ray
detector during insertion.
13. The X-ray system of claim 12, wherein the receptacle has an
opening on each of two opposed sides of the patient examination
table, and that the detector drawer is configured to be inserted
into the receptacle from either side.
14. The X-ray system of claim 12 further comprising an X-ray source
positioned above the patient examination table.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing
date under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of provisional U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 60/525,706, filed Nov. 28, 2003, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates, in general, to X-ray detectors, and
more particularly, to a detector drawer for an X-ray detector, in
which a mobility or advancement of the inserted X-ray detector in
at least one direction is restricted.
[0003] Detector drawers for inserting X-ray detectors are used in
X-ray examination equipment, or X-ray systems. X-ray systems have
an X-ray source for generating X-rays that pass through a patient
body to be examined radiologically and are then detected by an
X-ray detector. The X-ray detector, either a conventional sheet
film system or a digital detector, is positioned in the X-ray beam
generated by the X-ray source. The positioning is done via a
detector drawer into which the X-ray detector is placed and which
is inserted, with the detector in place, into a receptacle of the
X-ray system.
[0004] In Bucky systems, for example, the patient to be examined is
positioned on a patient examination or supporting table and X-rays
originating from an X-ray source disposed above the table pass
through him. The receptacle for the detector drawer can be pulled
out like a drawer so that the X-ray detector can be placed therein
and is then pushed in again. The X-ray detector is thus positioned
underneath the patient.
[0005] Currently available Bucky systems are usually still
configured for analog X-ray detectors on the basis of sheet film
systems, since digital X-ray detectors have only been available
quite recently. From International Patent Disclosure WO 01/33921,
it is disclosed that to convert a Bucky system designed for analog
detectors into a digital system, a digital X-ray detector may be
inserted into the receptacle of the patient examination table
instead of the analog X-ray film cassette. As such, the detector is
installed in an adaptively configured detector drawer. Both the
detector drawer and the X-ray detector are adapted to one another.
To make different picture-taking formats possible, such as
landscape and portrait, the detector can be rotated in the detector
drawer.
[0006] Desirably, one may want to use a commercially available
portable digital X-ray detector that does not have to be a priori
adapted to the detector drawer. Such detectors have an electric
cable connection for supplying power and for transmitting the
detector signals. The electrical cable should be taken into account
when the detector is inserted into the detector drawer; the cable
should not become kinked nor sheared off. The electrical cable can,
therefore, be guided only in such a way as to extend out of the
receptacle opening in the patient examination table. From there,
the electrical cable may extend to a control unit for the X-ray
system. Such trailing cable may present a potential risk of
stumbling and be a hindrance to medical personnel walking up to or
moving around the patient examination table. Depending on the
intended examination, however, the capability of approaching the
patient from all sides may be desirable.
[0007] In order to reach the patient from either side of the
patient examination table to suit a given situation and to minimize
encountering problems in manipulating the detector drawer, a
patient examination table with a receptacle open on two sides for
the insertion of the drawer is known from the X-ray system known as
Uroskop D, made by Siemens A G. A system with a receptacle open on
two sides is also disclosed in German Patent Disclosure DE 30 34
282. A detector drawer can be inserted from both opposite sides of
the examination table into the receptacle open on those two sides.
If a portable digital X-ray detector is used, the receptacle open
on two sides may be used in such a way that the detector is
inserted from one side of the examination table from which medical
personnel do not have to approach the patient. One can thus be
assured that the cable does not have to be in the way of the
medical personnel.
[0008] Because of an asymmetrical outline of portable X-ray
detectors, in which an actual detection field is not centered,
substantially exact positioning of the detector in the X-ray beam
may not be assured. Further, depending on an insertion direction or
an associated orientation of the detector, the positioning may
change.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention is defined by the following claims.
This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments
and should not be used to limit the claims.
[0010] One object is to provide a detector drawer into which an
X-ray detector of asymmetrical outline, such as a portable X-ray
detector, can be inserted with alternate orientations without
resulting in alternate positioning of the detection field in the
X-ray beam.
[0011] Another concept is to provide a detector drawer for an X-ray
detector, which drawer has at least one stop by which a mobility of
an inserted X-ray detector in at least one direction is restricted.
In such detector drawer, the mobility of the inserted X-ray
detector can be arrested by a stop at two alternate stop positions
with respect to the restricted direction, and the respective stop
position becomes operative as a function of the motion of the X-ray
detector upon insertion.
[0012] Since X-ray detectors are normally inserted from a front
side of the detector drawer, alternate motions of the X-ray
detector may occur as by-products of the insertion process such as
upon an approach to a stop on the front side and to a stop on a
back side of the detector drawer. After the X-ray detector is
thrust against the stop toward the back side in the insertion
direction and has reached the rear stops, the X-ray detector is
lowered on its front end onto the front side stops.
[0013] Because of the different directions of motion or
advancement, different stop positions for the back and front stops
may also occur on their own. Because of the resulting different
stop positions, the nonsymmetrical outline of a digital detector,
such as a flat detector (FD), can automatically be compensated in
such a way that a positioning of the detection field centrally in
the X-ray beam is automatically established. The automatically
adjustable positioning stops may allow relatively simple
manipulations of the X-ray detector, since stops and guides that
are typically manually reinserted or adjusted can be dispensed
with. Instead, one and the same detector drawer may be used
automatically for an X-ray detector to be inserted with arbitrary
orientations.
[0014] In an advantageous feature, the respective stop position
becomes operative as a function of whether the X-ray detector is
moved in the aforementioned direction or in a direction
perpendicular toward the stop. As a result, the alternate stop
positions become operative as a function of different directions of
motion of the X-ray detector, which assures a substantial
protection against error in the operation of the automatically
adjustable stops. Moreover, in the aforementioned course of motion
upon insertion of the detector into a detector drawer, in which the
detector is first thrust against the stops located at a distance
and is then lowered onto the closer stops, motions oriented
perpendicular to one another also occur in practical use. That is,
the directions of motion that occur in the typical course of motion
may be utilized for automatically adjusting the stop position,
which simplifies the process of positioning the X-ray detector.
[0015] In a further advantageous feature, the stop has a pivot
lever, which is pivotable about a shaft parallel to the detector
drawer. Such pivot lever may represent a substantially simple
structural way of repositioning a stop. Upon motions counter to the
pivot lever and parallel to the detector drawer, the stop
predetermines a first stop position, and, upon motions in a
direction perpendicular, the stop swivels out of the way downward,
for instance, and predetermines a second stop position. Upon
motions in a direction perpendicular, the stop swivels out of the
way downward, for instance, and predetermines a second stop
position
[0016] Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are
described in further detail below with reference to and in
conjunction with the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a detector drawer with
variable stops;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a pivot lever stop;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the detector drawer of
FIG. 1 with adjustable stops and an X-ray detector inserted;
[0020] FIG. 4 is schematic plan view of the detector drawer of
Fig.1 with an X-ray detector inserted with a different orientation;
and
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically an X-ray system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In FIG. 1, a detector drawer 1 is shown schematically in
plan view. The detector drawer 1 has two parallel, rectilinear
edges in the insertion direction. On the other two opposed edges,
handles, for instance, for pushing the drawer in and pulling it out
can be provided, but are not shown in the drawing.
[0023] The detector drawer 1 has guides 3, which serve to guide an
X-ray detector during an insertion into the detector drawer 1. For
instance, a substantially rectangular X-ray detector may be guided
between two opposed guides 3 in such a way that a lateral motion is
prevented by the guides 3, and a longitudinal motion is
enabled.
[0024] Furthermore, individual stops 5 are provided in all four
corners of the detector drawer 1. With respect to the transverse
and longitudinal extent of the detector drawer, the stops 5 are
each disposed symmetrically in pairs opposite one another and serve
to limit the motion of an X-ray detector to be inserted by causing
the X-ray detector to strike one or more of the stops 5. The stops
5 are fixedly mounted on the detector drawer 1, but the stops 5
each have two different stop positions in each of the two
respective possible stop directions. These stop positions occur
automatically as a function of the motion of the X-ray detector
upon striking or making contact with the respective stop 5.
[0025] In FIG. 2, operatively adjustable stops 5 that are
relatively simple to realize are shown. FIG. 2 shows a portion of
the detector drawer 1 in a side view. As described in the preceding
discussion of FIG. 1, guides 3 and a stop 5 are shown on the
detector drawer 1.
[0026] The stop 5 has two alternate stop positions, which become
operative as a function of the motion of the x-ray detector upon
approaching the stop 5. These alternate stop positions are realized
via a pivot lever 7, which is supported pivotably about a shaft
parallel to the detector drawer 1. From an original position, the
pivot lever 7 may assume an orientation parallel to the detector
drawer 1, which is represented in the drawing by a solid line. In
this orientation, the detector drawer may be held elastically but
firmly, for instance by a spring force. However, the detector
drawer may also assume a further position, one that is oriented
perpendicular to the detector drawer 1, which is shown in dashed
lines in the drawing. To assume this orientation, the pivot lever 7
pivots out of the original position downward into a corresponding
opening or indentation in the detector drawer 1.
[0027] Because of the shape of the pivot lever 7 and its pivotable
support, the pivot lever 7 may enable two alternate stop positions
that become operative automatically. If an X-ray detector is thrust
against the pivot lever 7 parallel to the detector drawer 1, in
other words from the right relatively to FIG. 2, the pivot lever
does not move away downward. Accordingly, the pivot lever 7
predetermines a first stop position. If however the same or a
similar X-ray detector approaches the pivot lever 7 from a
direction perpendicular to the detector drawer 1 in other words
from above relatively to FIG. 2, then the pivot lever does pivot
downward and away. As such, the stop 5 becomes operative as a stop
and predetermines a second stop position. In the drawing of FIG. 2,
this second stop position is located to the left of the first stop
position that is formed by the pivot lever 7.
[0028] In FIG. 3, the detector drawer 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown
in a plan view, but with the X-ray detector 9 inserted. As
described above, the detector drawer 1 has guides 3 and operatively
adjustable stops 5 with pivot levers 7. The X-ray detector has a
substantially rectangular outline.
[0029] The X-ray detector 9 inserted into the detector drawer 1 is
a portable digital X-ray detector. The portable detector has a
handle 11, by which it can be grasped and carried. The X-ray
portable detector also has an electrical cable 13, through which
power supply and signal transmission lines extend. Inside the
detector 9, the power supply and signal transmission lines are not
shown in detail as well as an associated set of detector
electronics. Because of these electronics, the detection field 14
is not disposed entirely symmetrically and is therefore not located
entirely centrally inside the X-ray detector 9. The outline of the
detection field 14 is represented by dashed lines and is
rectangular, so that by rotating the X-ray detector by 90.degree.,
a change can be made between two imaging formats, namely upright
(portrait) and crosswise (landscape). The detection field 14 is
spaced apart from the handle 11 by the distance marked d, and
instead of detector elements, parts of the electronics and the
connection for the cable 13 are on a side toward the handle 11.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the X-ray detector 9 may not rest in a
centered fashion on the detector drawer 1. Instead, the X-ray
detector position may be displaced in the direction of the handle
11. This displacement is dimensioned such that the asymmetrical
inner construction of the X-ray detector 9 is compensated; and the
detection field 14, not disposed centered in the detector, is
disposed centrally relative to the detector drawer 1. This
displacement is marked d in the drawing and corresponds to the
displacement of the detection field 14 inside the X-ray detector
9.
[0031] The non-central positioning of the X-ray detector 9 is
engendered by the alternate stop positions of the adjustable stops
5. As viewed from the handle 11, the detector is guided laterally
by the guides 3. A side edge of the detector 9 opposite the handle
11 strikes the pivot levers 7 of the stops 5 in their alternate
stop positions. Thus, the two associated stops 5 adjust the motion
of this detector side edge in the first of two alternate stop
positions.
[0032] Conversely, the pivot levers 7 of the two stops 5 disposed
toward the handle are swiveled out of the way, so that the stop
faces of the stops 5 themselves determine the stop position. Thus
the motion of the X-ray detector 9 in this direction is restricted
by the second stop position of each of the adjustable stops 5.
[0033] The alternate stop positions differ by the same spacing d by
which the detection field 14 is displaced inside the X-ray detector
9. Thus the pivot levers 7 likewise have the dimension d shown in
the drawing.
[0034] The alternate stop positions become operative automatically
by the motion of the X-ray detector 9 upon insertion into the
detector drawer 1. To insert the X-ray detector 9, the operator or
user of the system grasps the X-ray detector 9 by the handle 11 and
places the X-ray detector 9 with the handle opposite edge situated
between the guides 3 on the detector drawer 1. Thus guided, the
X-ray detector 9 is thrust away from the handle side to abut
against the stops 5 located at a distance. As such, in a motion
parallel to the detector drawer 1, the X-ray detector 9 may strike
the pivot levers 7, which as described above do not swivel out of
the way upon this motion. In this way, the stop position is
automatically predetermined by the pivot levers 7.
[0035] Once thrust with the aid of the handle 11 against the distal
stops 5 located at a distance, the X-ray detector 9 is lowered on
the handle end onto the correspondingly near stops 5. In the
process, arriving from above, that is, perpendicular to the
detector drawer 1, the X-ray detector 9 strikes the pivot levers 7,
which in the process swivel downward, out of the way. The stop
position is therefore formed not by the pivot levers 7 but rather
by the stop faces of the near stops 5, which is why the second of
the two alternate stop positions becomes operative
automatically.
[0036] In FIG. 4, the same detector drawer 1 as in the FIG. 3
drawing described above is shown, again with the X-ray detector 9
inserted. However, the X-ray detector 9 is inserted with an
orientation rotated 90.degree. clockwise. In accordance with this
rotation, the positioning of the detection field 14 located inside
the detector is also different. The detection field 14 is
represented by dashed lines in the drawing and is displaced to the
right by the distance d. Conversely, in the FIG. 3 drawing, the
detection field 14 is displaced upward by the distance d. So that
the detection field may be positioned in the center of the detector
drawer 1 despite the changed orientation, the stops 5 become
operative in alternate stop positions than in the FIG. 3 drawing.
While in FIG. 4, the distal stops 5 shown at the top each become
operative in the first stop position, and the near stops 5 shown at
the bottom each become operative in the second stop position, in
FIG. 5 the stops 5 shown on the right become operative in the first
stop position, and the stops shown on the left become operative in
the second stop position.
[0037] The change in the operative stop positions arises
automatically from the rotation of the X-ray detector 9, if--as
described in the preceding FIG. 3 drawing--the X-ray detector 9 has
been inserted, namely as a result of placement of the edge away
from the handle 11 and pushing this edge as far as the respective
stops 5 and subsequent lowering of the edge toward the handle of
the detector 9. Comparing the preceding drawing, FIG. 3, with FIG.
4 substantially clarifies how, via the operatively adjustable stops
5, a central orientation of the detector elements of the portable
X-ray detector 9 is assured automatically, regardless of its
orientation, without having to make manual changes to the stops 5
or the detector drawer 1 or the X-ray detector 9.
[0038] In FIG. 5, an X-ray system or so-called Bucky system 39 is
shown schematically. An X-ray source 35 is secured to a ceiling
mount 33. The X-ray source 35 serves to generate an X-ray beam,
which in the drawing extends with a downward orientation. Below the
X-ray source 35 is a patient examination or supporting table 29, on
which a patient to be examined may for instance be located or
positioned. The patient examination table 29 has a receptacle 31,
into which a detector drawer 1 can be inserted. If an X-ray
detector is located in the detector drawer 1, then the X-radiation
originating from the X-ray source 35 may pass through a patient
located above the receptacle 31, and the X-radiation can then be
detected by the X-ray detector located in the receptacle 31.
[0039] Although not visible from the FIG. 5 drawing, the receptacle
31 is open on two sides, so that a detector drawer 1 may be
inserted from both opposite sides of the patient examination table
29. The detector drawer 1 and the receptacle 31 may have a
slide-through stop, which may not allow the detector drawer 1 from
being thrust all the way through the receptacle 31 if an X-ray
detector is in place therein. Via the slide-through stop, the
above-described detector drawer 1 may be used with a portable
digital X-ray detector. As such, the X-ray detector may be inserted
from both sides of the examination table. Further, independently of
the insertion side, the digital X-ray detector may be inserted as
far as the central stop in the receptacle 31 without the detector
drawer being thrust all the way through the receptacle 31 and the
detector cable sheared off or torn off in the process.
* * * * *